According to France Football, reported via the Watford Observer, FC Nantes are interested in signing unsettled Watford defender Younes Kaboul this summer.

What’s the story?

Kaboul is now in the final year of his contract at Vicarage Road. Watford boss Javi Gracia has stated that the centre-back is fit, but not currently training with the first team, and that “we will see in the next few days what will happen with his future” - as quoted in the aforementioned Watford Observer report.

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The Frenchman joined the Hornets from Sunderland in 2016, but after a solid first campaign with the club he endured an injury hit season last time out. Having only managed two appearances in all competitions last season, and with Watford having strengthened their defence further this summer, it is no surprise to find the former Spurs man no longer in Gracia’s plans.

If the 32-year-old is fit though, as his manager claims, then fellow Premier League clubs have missed a great opportunity to sign the unwanted defender in a cut price deal this summer.

Southampton, in particular, would have been wise to swoop for the man with five France caps.

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Strengthening the Saints

Given Kaboul’s contract situation, and his status as surplus to requirements, Mark Hughes could have perhaps picked up the defender for even less than his £1.8 million Transfermarkt valuation. 

The Saints’ current centre-back options of Jannik Vestergaard, Wesley Hoedt, Jack Stephens, Maya Yoshida and Jan Bednarek lack physicality and top level experience. The acquisition of Kaboul would have provided this side with an injection of authority and grit.

Those are the kind of qualities that were lacking last season at St Mary’s Stadium as the South Coast club came close to relegation from the Premier League.

If Southampton find themselves in trouble again at the bottom this time around, they will regret not having added Kaboul’s seniority in the summer.